LUKOIL's iCOlube Launches Tour in Singapore

To optimize vessel’s engine performance and efficiency, LUKOIL Marine Lubricants developed the iCOlube® system which will be launched on 22nd April, 2015 in Singapore. 

“iCOlube stands for ‘intelligent cylinder oil lubrication’,” explains Stefan Claussen, technical and marketing director of LUKOIL’s Hamburg office, and one of the developers of the innovative system. “The iCOlube unit is designed to tailor cylinder oils perfectly to prevailing engine requirements and fuel quality. It optimizes our Navigo 100 MCL cylinder oil by adding either fresh or used engine oil such as Navigo 6 SO.” 

Reducing wear rates and operating costs Navigo 100 MCL not only reduces wear rates but also operating costs, particularly during the demands of slow-steaming operation. Over the past two years, LUKOIL, together with the engine manufacturers MAN and Wärtsilä, has demonstrated the capabilities of this new high-performance oil on various marine engines. LUKOIL’s edge in experience has made it today’s market leader in 100 BN oils. However, a full 100 BN oil is only needed with high sulphur levels in the bunker fuel. 

“With the engine always remaining at its optimum feed rate, the operator only needs to enter the sulphur content of the fuel. In this way iCOlube ensures safe and easy operation while saving oil costs at the same time”, Claussen says.  

What is more, iCOlube® reduces environmental impacts: It helps to avoid excessive alkalinity reserves, reduces cylinder oil and fuel consumption and used system oil disposal.  The environmental benefits of iCOlube® compared to conventional ship operation have been evaluated in an independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the results are convincing. Considering only the aspect of climate change, this innovative approach enables a 13% reduction of CO2 equivalent. 

iCOlube® and its benefits are greeted by customers with a highly positive reception: About 20 units will be installed shortly and 70 more are already lined up. Among others, MSC is planning to install iCOlube® on all their new buildings. Taking up little space on board, the iCOlube® unit can also be easily retrofitted.